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Consider Ficus binnendiijkii 'Alii'

Message from RonDEZone7a

Karen,

Ficus binnendiijkii 'Alii' is a great choice as an indoor tree (it is also known by the name Ficus maclellandii 'Alii'). I believe it was named after a Hawaiian chief or something and may be a selection or hybrid that was developed first in Hawaii, but it is not native there.

It is supposedly less fussy (i.e. does better indoors / less leaf shedding) than the regular Ficus benjamin. It has long pointy leaves that resemble eucalyptus a little (to me). Most big box stores like Home Depot have them - but you may have to look a little.

I have 2 in my sunroom and they do seem to be very easy plants to grow - and they do shed fewer leaves than Ficus benjamin (like few or none!). Mine don't grow much unless I put them outside for the summer or put them in a sunny spot in the sunroom. Note: they don't like over-watering so make sure the pot has drainage and the roots don't "sit" in water for any length of time. They seem pretty pest resistant too (they get some but they seem pretty oblivious to them).

Here are some links about it:
http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/ficus-alii.html
http://www.sharon-flowers.com/plant-types/indoorplant-ficus-alii.php
http://www.plantsrescue.com/ficus-maclellandii-alii/


Exoten und Garten Forum               Hardy Palm and Subtropical Board